Tobramycin (Ophthalmic)

Brand name(s): AKTob

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients using tobramycin ophthalmic solution (eye drops):

• The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.
• To use:
  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and with the index finger of one hand, press gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes, to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
  • If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.
• If your doctor ordered two different ophthalmic solutions to be used together, wait at least 5 minutes between the times you apply the medicines. This will help to keep the second medicine from ``washing out'' the first one.

For patients using tobramycin ophthalmic ointment (eye ointment):

• To use:
  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and with the index finger of one hand, press gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1.25-cm (approximately ½-inch) strip of ointment usually is enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes and keep them closed for 1 or 2 minutes, to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using tobramycin eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using tobramycin for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing-

The dose of ophthalmic tobramycin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average dose of ophthalmic tobramycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using ophthalmic tobramycin.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage forms:
  • For mild to moderate infections:
    • Adults and children-Use every eight to twelve hours.
  • For severe infections:
    • Adults and children-Use every three to four hours until improvement occurs.
• For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage forms:
  • For mild to moderate infections:
    • Adults and children-One drop every four hours.
  • For severe infections:
    • Adults and children-One drop every hour until improvement occurs.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 03/15/1999

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